Darkness. Oppressive. Frightening. Cold that crept into the innermost bones. A prison of shadows. Walls you couldn't see. Their cold penetrated my innermost being and a whimper escaped my throat. Dark footsteps echoed along the corridor, pausing just outside the chamber in which he had locked me. The sound of his fist hitting the wooden door echoed thunderously in the small, dark room. I pressed my hands firmly over my ears, trying to block out his cold voice, which relentlessly found its way into my senses.

"Little monster. Shut your mouth or I'll get uncomfortable. Then it won't just be the chamber you fear."

Tears of fear ran down my face, wetting, skin and hair.

"Stop it," I whimpered.

"Tora."

Someone called my name, but seemed too far away to reach me. Darkness rushed towards me, threatening to engulf me. A scream escaped my throat and I began to thrash around. Sweat poured down my temples and my whole body shook with fear.

A firm grip gripped my shoulders.

"Damn it. Wake up. This isn't real."

I blinked. It was dark in the metal prison, so I could only make out Gaara's outline. His turquoise eyes seemed to glow. The Suna Nin looked at me seriously and I began to relax my posture a little. My father wasn't here. Only a terrible memory from the past had overtaken me once again.

Exhausted, I wiped my sweaty face and he let go of my shoulders, which immediately slumped.

"I'm sorry. It's just hard to come to terms with this past. Or to forget it," I said to him quietly. Gaara looked up. His face was unreadable.

"You shouldn't forget the past. Just learn to come to terms with it and cope as best you can. Even if it's not always easy." He was silent for a while, his fingers digging into the sandy ground.

"Friends are an important asset. I know that now."

There was silence before he moved a little away from me again and began to open his third eye. I didn't disturb him, trying to find a way to get out of there myself. The walls were too solid for me to break through with the kunai. All at once, Gaara cried out in pain and I too felt the cage begin to drain all my chakra. Damn.

The redhead tossed his head back and forth. Something yellow flashed in his eye and goose bumps ran down my spine, as I already suspected what might be about to happen. He pressed his hands firmly to his temples as if trying to stifle the pain that the transformation was causing him.

Something rattled on the outside and suddenly I felt the chakra drain ebb away. I raised my head in confusion. What had happened? But there was no time to think about it. The Suna Sin could no longer hold himself up and toppled over shakily. His hands were shaking and it seemed as if he was trying to fight the transformation. Forgetting all caution, I sat down in front of him and gripped his shoulders firmly.

"Listen to me Gaara! You can manage to push him back. You've already achieved so much, just by being willing to change and realizing that friendship is more important than hate," I said and my hands tightened further in his shoulders as he let out a tortured cry. Damn.

Gaaras snapped his eyes open and I winced. They glowed yellow. Not good. But he didn't shake off my hands, even as his teeth began to deform. I would stay seated. I wasn't afraid. Because Shukaku hadn't taken him over completely yet, and he wouldn't.

However, my hopes were immediately dashed when we were drained of chakra again. I gritted my teeth and tried to ignore the terrible feeling of dwindling strength in my body. I took my eyes off Gaara for a short time.

When I looked at him again, I was shocked to see that his head had almost completely turned into Shukaku's. That damn demon. A curse escaped me and I wrestled with myself. Desperately, I thought of a solution when his arm also became a huge paw.

"Tora... get away from me..." the Suna Nin growled, but I shook my head.

"Forget it. I don't abandon a friend." And besides... how was I supposed to avoid him in that small room?

With a single swipe of his paw, Gaara destroyed the tiny prison and blinding sunlight stung my eyes. I squinted and noticed a white-haired man hovering a few meters above us. Grinning triumphantly. I stood up shakily and stood in front of Gaara. Looked him in the remaining human eye.

"You just told me yourself that it's important to learn to deal with the past. And you're well on the way to doing that. You should know that you're not alone. Your siblings will always be there for you, just like Naruto and me. We will always help and support you. That is friendship. You can't buy something like that, because it's the most valuable thing in the world."

He rattled. I could hear Naruto's shouts from a distance, my name and Gaara's. But he couldn't do anything now, and neither could I. We were actually doomed to fear and hope. It was now up to his willpower to push Gaara back.

His body trembled, sand trickled to the ground and his features were tense with effort and pain. His hands clenched into fists, he stood in place, struggling against Shukaku's power. More and more of the element broke away from him and flowed down to the ground. He gasped with exertion before the last of it finally broke free. Then his eyes met mine. Normal again and he... he was smiling? Where was the camera?

"Thank you, Tora," he said.

I nodded dumbly, too surprised by the gesture. None of them back there would believe me. But...speaking of the others. I had to make sure I got to them. Gaara would manage the rest. I was convinced of that.

The lack of chakra was really getting to me. Bloody hell. My legs were slowly starting to go on strike.

"Tora!"

To my surprise, Temari came towards me and put one of my arms around her shoulders to escort me to my friends. I smiled slightly and squeezed the blonde's arm in thanks.

Exhausted, I finally lowered myself to the ground, noticing how Kankuro stood next to me and grinned at me hesitantly.

"You look pretty exhausted Tora."

I looked at the dark-haired man in mock surprise.

"Really? I thought I could fight another round against that guy."

He laughed sheepishly and scratched his head.

"You know what I mean."

As the ground began to shake and a huge wave of sand crashed over the white-haired man, I fervently hoped that he was buried under it. Then we would be rid of the problem and could go home...to bed. Yes, sleep would be nice now.

I rejoiced too soon.

Less than ten seconds underground, the guy had already managed to survive Gaara's jutsu again. I'd never seen that before.

Gaara's body trembled as chakra was drawn from him again. But something was different. A grin formed on his face. My eyes narrowed. Wait a minute.

And then something began to form in his hand. Individual grains of sand flew there and began to form a long spear with a large, broad, curved tip. A very impressive weapon, no doubt.

"And now comes Shukaku's spear," Gaara growled and began to swing his arm out wide before throwing it at his opponent with all his might. The mighty weapon reached its target too quickly for him to dodge, and I sighed with relief as the opponent disappeared into the sand and Gaara used the desert grief move.

While the others jumped up to congratulate the redhead, I remained seated. He certainly didn't need one more person getting on his nerves. Besides, I was far too lazy to get up at the moment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed two figures on the rocks diagonally above me. Kakashi and Jiraya. So had they made it here too? Probably as reinforcements. I grinned slightly. Well... life punished those who came too late.

Then my gaze slid thoughtfully over Gaara's slumped figure again. He was right. What was the point of continuing to allow the fears of the past when I was capable of overcoming them? At least he had restored my faith in it. And I was grateful to him for that.

Hello again dear hospital. Yes, I didn't miss you at all and I honestly don't understand what I'm doing here. They said too much chakra deficiency, but to be honest, I might as well sleep at home. Especially as I can't sleep here at all because I didn't choose to be in the room with Gaara and Naruto and therefore have constant visitors. How annoying.

Earlier they had to forcibly throw out Gaara's student, Matsuri, who wanted to thank them for the millionth time for saving her. I was really about to give her what for and...

"Tell me, Tora. Are you always talking to yourself like that?" came from my left.

The heat immediately shot into my face. Damn. I hadn't said all that out loud, had I? Why was it always me? I would almost have preferred it if Naruto had heard the whole thing, but since he was snoring his head off, that was rather impossible. Especially since it was still the middle of the night, so no wonder Naruto was asleep, but with Gaara...I should have known that. What a bummer.

I gritted my teeth and straightened up, glancing over at him.

"No, not really. At least I hope not. I used to do it a lot because I was my own listener. There was no one by my side. But now... I guess I can't break the habit that easily," I sighed softly.

"I understand," he replied, scrutinizing me with his gaze, seeming to be searching for something.

"The past can be both a burden and a help. We have to learn to face these fears. One reason why I was able to resist Shukaku yesterday. I was ready to face the past."

My head jerked upwards when I heard this sentence. It reminded me of something I had been thinking about for a long time.

The box! Of course. Genma had given me this box for my 14th birthday and had written on the note next to it that I should only open it when I was ready to face my past. And now I was. Thanks to these events.

My hands clenched into fists. I had to get out of here immediately. It was the middle of the night, but it didn't matter. I wasn't seriously injured or anything, I just had a bit of a chakra deficiency. But otherwise I was fine, so there was no reason for anyone to worry.

I hurriedly got up and got out of bed. It was chilly, I was only wearing shorts and a thin shirt. But no matter, that would do until I got home. I wasn't going to catch a cold any time soon anyway, I was hardened to that.

"Where do you think you're going?" Gaara's cutting voice interrupted my thoughts.

I ignored him. He wouldn't tell on me. At least I hoped he wouldn't. No...more like stare me to death.

"A quick errand, I'll be right back. You've given me an idea," I said quietly and disappeared out of the door before he could say anything back.

Silently, my bare feet hit the tiled floor. I flitted through the darkness like a small shadow, jumping over rooftops and feeling the light wind on my skin. I almost felt like a thief again. Back then, I had also sometimes sneaked across the rooftops at night. As free as a bird, I could spread my wings and go wherever I wanted. Nobody stopped me. Knew my name, knew that I existed. Those had been the days. It had been nice to have freedom. But everything had a price. I couldn't trust anyone, anyone could have betrayed me. Naruto had changed everything. That one day had shown me how much I needed other people, even though I had always refused to admit it before. He had understood me and that had changed me.

Just as we had now changed Gaara's life, for the same reason. Looking him or Naruto in the eye, knowing that they could understand me, was one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. And for that very reason, I would always choose not to live the life of the incomprehensible.

I had finished and was ready to face the past.

It was completely dark in my apartment when I entered. Only the moon was shining in, casting its light on a dark figure who had settled down on the sofa. I almost dropped the key from my hand in shock, but at the same time I recognized who it was.

Anger mixed with fright and I stomped towards him.

"Do that again and I won't react so lightly. You're not the only surprise guest I've had here before. It was thanks to your dear sister that I got out of this mess," I hissed at the ninja from the sand, who looked at me unimpressed.

"And anyway... what the heck are you doing here anyway?"

Now he began to stir.

"Following you," was the curt reply.

I pulled a face. Why had I even asked when the answer was so obvious? Leaning my body against the kitchen sideboard, I watched him before finally sitting down on it and letting my legs dangle.

As he sat on the sofa, his red hair shining silver in the moonlight, an image flashed through my mind.

"This situation seems strangely familiar to me," I said quietly and he raised his head, looking at me. The Suna Nin knew what I meant.

"But not the same one," was the calm reply.

How much he had changed. There was no excitement or uncontrollability, but calmness and composure. At least that's how it seemed to me. Maybe he still had a few problems with Shukaku, but certainly not as extreme as before.

"Now we're no longer enemies..." I began.

"We never were..."

I paused. My breath caught in my throat. What was he saying? The redhead slowly got up from the sofa and walked towards me. A familiar situation appeared before my inner eye. Back then, he had also approached me, unstable inside. A mental wreck, so they said. But many things could be repaired if the tools were available to make it possible.

"I saw an enemy in Sasuke, but never in you or Naruto. Because you're both so much like me and at the same time not."

Those were my words that he used. I had said them to him once. Shortly afterwards, he had warned me not to cross his path during the exam. Now I realized a few things.

"I understand. It's nice to hear that," I said and a warm feeling spread through my stomach.

A slight smile graced my lips as I started to speak again.

"And you know... now I have you to thank for something too. Because now I'm ready to face the past. Maybe it's even good that you're here, Gaara."

Then I jumped down from the sideboard and went into the bedroom, took the box from under the bed and carried it into the kitchen. His eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the box. I laughed softly.

"There's no bomb in there. That's for sure. My uncle wouldn't give me something like that for my birthday."

The box creaked softly as I set it down on the dining table and sat down on the chair in front of it. The Suna Nin sat down next to me and eyed the object. Wordlessly, I handed him the note that Genma had written to me before my eyes inspected the lock intently. I moved my body slightly to the side so that the moonlight could illuminate the keyhole.

"The only problem is that there's no key," I said quietly and he looked up from the document before suddenly lots of little grains of sand flew towards the two holes and into them. He wanted to crack the box with the sand. Not a bad idea at all. But after just a few seconds, the redhead leaned back and shook his head. I bit my lip. If it couldn't be done with sand, then it probably couldn't be done with a needle or other sharp objects either.

But how then? What had I missed? It had to be something I already had, but did it have to be a key?

The lynx pendant clinked softly as it hit the wood of the table. The sound snapped me out of my thoughts and Gaara's gaze fixed on the necklace.

"Who gave you this necklace?"

I looked up.

"The third Hokage gave it to me during training because it once belonged to my mother..."

I became quieter and quieter, so that the redhead had to lean forward to hear me. But I blocked everything out. Him, background noise, everything, just staring at that keyhole, holding the chain in my hand. The long tip of one of the lynx's ears pricked my finger.

I opened the clasp on the chain, unthreaded the pendant and took it between my index finger and thumb. It seemed as if it was literally attracted to the lock. I carefully inserted the lynx's ears into the two holes and the pendant seemed to warm up for a moment. A silvery glow flooded through it before I turned my hand and the box opened.

The pendant fell out of my hand with a soft clink when I saw the open gap in front of me. I had managed it with a little push from Gaara. But my gaze was too transfixed by the box to turn it away.

Slowly, my hand reached for the lid and I pulled it up.

The first thing I could see were photos. Five or six of them. They were spread out on a soft red cloth. And next to them was a mask shaped like the head of a lynx. I carefully picked it up and stroked the silver lines that ran across it. It seemed to be her ANBU mask. A lynx.

As carefully as if I feared I might break it, I held it in my hand before Gaara took it from me and focused on it as well.

"Tell me, Tora. Do you have an animal you can summon?"

I looked at him in surprise. What made him think that?

"Yes, a lynx, Drakar is his name."

"That explains a lot. I suppose it was the same with your mother."

I nodded in amazement. Was he deducing that from all these things?

"You really do look a lot like her," Gaara said quietly and I looked up. The redhead was holding one of the photos in his hands. There were two people in it. One was a boy who was about my age and the other was a young woman in her early twenties.

While the former was bored and chewing on a senbon, the young woman had one arm around him and was beaming at the camera. Her hair went just to her shoulders, was a dark brown and very curly. Like mine. Her eyes, like liquid silver, gazed energetically into the camera. At her side dangled a long katana in a black and green sheath.

No doubt about it, that was Genma and ... my mother. Tears began to gather in my eyes as I saw her in front of me for the first time. Now I had a picture of her. And it had exceeded all my expectations. I wiped my wet face with my sleeve before putting the photo aside and moving on to the next one.

It was like a journey through her life.

Another picture showed her when she was about sixteen. It appeared to be a team photo. Except that the sensei wasn't in it. She was sitting right in the middle, her ANBU mask pushed to the side of her head, beaming at the camera. She had an arm around her teammates on the left and right. Two boys of the same age, while one had light brown curls and also looked at the photographer in a friendly manner, the other had midnight black hair that seemed a little long and piercing blue eyes.

He looked at me like an eagle that had just spotted its prey. My hand began to tremble as I realized who it was. It was my father.

Gaara gave me a knowing look, but said nothing. He had already seen him too and knew that it wasn't easy for me to be confronted with this subject again. But I had to get through it now. I wanted to change something, try to stop fearing my past and this was the place to start.

Determined, I reached for the last photo and looked at it. My hands started to shake again. Because what I saw there was beyond belief. My parents were in the middle of the picture. Leaning against each other. Mother in his arms, her eyes closed. His gaze was on her with such gentleness and love that it made me dizzy.

It squeaked as I pushed the chair back and quickly stepped out onto the small balcony. I desperately needed some fresh air. The image was all too clear in my mind's eye. The way he looked at my mother. I had never seen so much emotion in those otherwise cold irises before. It was just crazy. Unbelievable. He had really loved her very much. My father had always been someone who showed his feelings openly. I had no reason to doubt that. But still. That had to be digested first, that much was certain.

"Tora."

Gaara's voice called me back to reality. The redhead was still sitting at the table, staring at the chest. My eyes narrowed. I had actually assumed that there was nothing left in the chest.

I walked slowly back to my seat and froze.

The redhead had pushed back the cloth and something silver flashed beneath it. I slowly grasped it and uncovered the katana that I had seen in the picture before. A blissful smile crept onto my lips. They had kept it. Until now. Perhaps it was meant to be. As I went to pull it out of its sheath, a note fluttered out, which had apparently been wedged in between.

She wanted you to wear it one day.

Genma

Now I had lost my temper. Tears streamed down my cheeks, wetting my clothes. I didn't care that Gaara saw them, my current state. I didn't care about anything. And I would fulfill my mother's wish, carry the katana and much more. I was just happy.

"Thank you Genma."